Hosea 9:10

Authorized King James Version

I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baal-peor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כַּעֲנָבִ֣ים
H6025
like grapes
a grape
#2
בַּמִּדְבָּ֗ר
H4057
in the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#3
מָצָ֙אתִי֙
H4672
I found
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#4
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
H3478
Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#5
כְּבִכּוּרָ֤ה
H1063
as the firstripe
the early fig
#6
בִתְאֵנָה֙
H8384
in the fig tree
the fig (tree or fruit)
#7
בְּרֵ֣אשִׁיתָ֔הּ
H7225
at her first time
the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)
#8
רָאִ֖יתִי
H7200
I saw
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#9
אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם
H1
your fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#10
הֵ֜מָּה
H1992
they (only used when emphatic)
#11
בָּ֣אוּ
H935
but they went
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#12
בַֽעַל
H0
#13
פְּע֗וֹר
H1187
to Baalpeor
baal-peor, a moabitish deity
#14
וַיִּנָּֽזְרוּ֙
H5144
and separated
to hold aloof, i.e., (intransitivey) abstain (from food and drink, from impurity, and even from divine worship (i.e., apostatize)); specifically, to s
#15
לַבֹּ֔שֶׁת
H1322
themselves unto that shame
shame (the feeling and the condition, as well as its cause); by implication (specifically) an idol
#16
וַיִּהְי֥וּ
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#17
שִׁקּוּצִ֖ים
H8251
and their abominations
disgusting, i.e., filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol
#18
כְּאָהֳבָֽם׃
H157
were according as they loved
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing love fundamental to theology proper, revealing God's essential nature and character and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Hosea Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes love in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection